7 April 2017 – NSW Parliament Wrap Up

A slight change of format this week, what with tomorrow’s by-elections. Instead of a summary for Friday, we have instead included a brief overview of the three electorates going to the polls. We don't need to remind you what outcome PremierState is hoping for!

Here’s how the week has panned out (so far)…

North Coast flood recovery
Premier Gladys Berejiklian toured the state’s North Coast on Monday, surveying the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie and teaming up with Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant to appoint a dedicated ‘Recovery Coordinator’. Euan Ferguson, former Chief Officer of the South Australian and Victorian Country Fire Services, will oversee the rollout of the Government’s natural disaster assistance schemes, including recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers. The Department of Justice’s Disaster Welfare Services Unit, along with NSW Housing, the Department of Primary Industries, and the Insurance Council of Australia will all be involved in the recovery process.

Housing approvals through the roof
On Monday, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts confirmed that 75,074 housing approvals were granted in NSW in the 12 months to February 2017, an increase of 12.6 per cent. In comparison, approvals in other states declined by an average of 12.5 per cent. The Treasurer also revealed that retail spending growth increased in NSW by 3.3 per cent over the same period, one per cent more than the national average. If you’re thinking about moving interstate, think again.

Crime rates slashed in NSW
Later in the day, Minister Grant also revealed data showing that crime rates for serious offences fell in NSW over the 24 months to December 2016. Rates of robbery with a weapon other than a firearm, robbery without a weapon, stealing, motor vehicle theft, break and enter, and fraud all decreased in the state. Ten other crime categories remained stable, including murder, domestic violence, sexual assault, and robbery with a firearm. In comparison, murder, assault, theft and aggravated burglary have all been trending upwards in Victoria since 2011. Like we said, if you’re thinking about moving interstate…

Every dog will have its day (in court)
Attorney General Mark Speakman joined Liberal candidate for Manly James Griffin on Monday to announce a new trial using therapy dogs to support vulnerable witnesses in court. The six-month trial will see two dogs placed at Manly Local Court four mornings a week, to comfort distressed court attendees, particularly young children. If successful, the initiative could be rolled out across the rest of the state. Kudos (or should that be Cujo?) to the Attorney General’s office for the feel-good policy, and for giving us the opportunity to try something a bit more fun for the day’s headline image.

Tuesday was a slow news day insofar as ministerial announcements were concerned. Fortunately for us, it was also a parliamentary sitting day! In the Lower House, members came together to support a motion put forward by Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Guy Zangari, passing on well-wishes to communities affected by the North Coast floods. Mr Zangari’s motion was endorsed by Minister Grant and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Planning Chris Gulaptis, Shadow Minister for Small Business Jenny Aitchison, and Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith.

Meanwhile, in the Upper House, Shadow Minister for Health Walt Secord announced that Labor would introduce a bill to prevent unvaccinated children being enrolled at childcare facilities. The Public Health Amendment (Vaccination of Children Attending Childcare Facilities) Bill 2017 will seek to impose a $5,500 fine for childcare operators accepting children without a vaccination certificate, unless it can be shown there is a medical reason justifying the parent’s decision. Minister for Health Brad Hazzard’s office pointed out similar legislation had already been tabled by the Federal Government, to be discussed at the next Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in June.

First Chief Commissioner of Industrial Relations Commission appointed
On Wednesday, Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations Dominic Perrottet appointed Peter Kite SC as the first Chief Commissioner of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. In this role, Mr Kite will be responsible for overseeing all functions of the Commission, such as fixing industrial awards and approving enterprise agreements, and arbitrating workplace disputes. Mr Kite’s new role will replace the former role of Commission President. In case you were wondering, the image above is (a sliver) of the Commission’s head office on the corner of Bridge Street and Macquarie Street. If you’re ever passing by, take the time to have a look—it’s easily one of the most impressive buildings in town.

New funding for community legal centres
Speaking of courts, Wednesday also saw the Attorney General commit $6 million for community legal centres in NSW over the next two years to rebalance an impending federal funding shortfall. From June 30, the Federal Government’s ongoing grants program for community legal centres, which provides approximately $3 million for NSW every year, will come to an end, shifting the onus on to the State Government. The funding commitment represents the largest increase for the community legal sector in two decades.

Thursday’s biggest news came late in the evening, when Liberal MLC Mike Gallacher announced his retirement from politics. Mr Gallacher, a former policeman and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, has been in Parliament since 1996. He was asked to step down from the Government’s frontbench in 2014 following an ICAC investigation, but was allowed to return to the party room earlier this year. It remains to be seen who the Government will put forward as Mr Gallacher’s replacement.

Greyhound racing reforms complete
On Thursday, Minister for Racing Paul Toole formally repealed the greyhound racing ban and allocated $41 million over the next five years to implement regulatory reforms to the industry. Of that sum, $11 million will go towards an independent Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, while the remaining $30 million will be allocated towards improving greyhound welfare and upgrading racing facilities, including track upgrades.

Easter showbags pass muster
It’s easy to forget just how diverse the Government’s functions are. Did you know that NSW Fair Trading has to approve showbags for sale at the Sydney Royal Easter Show? On Wednesday, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean announced that 381 showbags were tested this year, with 12 found to be unsafe. Apparently, one showbag’s toy tractor posed a choking hazard, while another’s glitter eyeliner was incorrectly labelled.

Three by-elections will be held in NSW tomorrow, for Gosford, Manly and North Shore. All were brought about by the resignation of their former members, being Kathy Smith, Mike Baird and Jillian Skinner respectively. Here’s a quick preview:

GOSFORD

Two-party preferred margin: 0.2 % (ALP)

Gosford is one of the most marginal seats in the state, won by outgoing Labor MP Kathy Smith in 2015 with 50.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. Ms Smith has since had to resign from Parliament due to an ongoing battle with cancer. Labor’s candidate for tomorrow is Liesl Tesch, a wheelchair basketball player who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics. Ms Tesch will go up against Liberal candidate Jilly Pillon, as well as candidates from the Animal Justice, Christian Democratic, Greens, and Shooters & Fishers parties. Notwithstanding Labor’s hairline margin, by-elections typically see swings against the Government of the day, so a Labor win is being predicted by most commentators.

MANLY

Two-party preferred margin: 28.4 % (LIB)

In 2015, former Premier Mike Baird won Manly with 75 per cent of the vote after preferences. In what may come as a surprise to some, the Greens actually came second, with 25 per cent. This time around, former Manly Deputy Mayor and Mike Baird’s personal pick for his replacement, James Griffin, will lead the Liberal’s march. While it’s unreasonable to expect a landslide victory like two years ago, and a double digit swing to the Greens and/or independents is a possibility, the margin should be enough to see Mr Griffin over the line.

In addition to the Greens—who are fielding the same candidate, 25-year old Clara Williams-Roldan, as in 2015—Mr Griffin will go up against hopefuls from the Animal Justice, Christian Democratic, and Voluntary Euthanasia parties, as well as seven independents. Among that latter contingent, high profile community members Ron Delezio and Kathryn Ridge, who is married to a Greens adviser, are probably the main opponents to keep an eye out for.

NORTH SHORE

Two-party preferred margin: 21.9 % (LIB)

North Shore was won by Jillian Skinner at consecutive elections or by-elections in 1994, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. Her replacement for the Liberal candidacy is Felicity Wilson, a former president of the NSW Liberal Women’s Council and corporate affairs manager.

In many respects, the electorate is quite similar to Manly. It has traditionally been considered a safe Liberal seat, and since 2007, the two-party preferred contest has been between the Liberal Party and Greens. More important to watch is the expected swing against the Government, which could be driven by local unrest about whether the proposed amalgamation between Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby councils should proceed. Whether Ms Wilson will be affected by any swing towards the Greens or an independent candidate remains to be seen.